HARD HITTING VIEW

Men against boys. The age difference between Scotland and Italy was stark and so was the quality.

It was an uneven, and almost unfair, competition at Murrayfield yesterday as Scotland consigned Italy to their heaviest defeat of the 2021 Championship.

Coming into the game, Italy had conceded more than 40 points to every team they had played.

Every opponent had the four-try bonus point in the bag by half-time and even after their bright start, the signs were ominous that their final match of this year’s tournament would be no different.

And so it transpired. Scotland had the bonus point wrapped up early and just continued to pile on the misery, not helped by Italy earning themselves three yellow cards.

It’s hard enough playing teams a class apart with 15 men. Reduce it to 14, and at one point, 13, and it isn’t going to be pretty. Italy were awful.

Despite their relative youth and inexperience, questions will once again be raised about their right to participate in the 6 Nations Championship, so one-sided have all their games become.

Their defence was woeful. Not only was it disorganised, allowing Scotland to attack successfully from deep, but their tackling was well-below par for international rugby.

As many commentators said, when

‘ An uneven, and almost unfair, competition

you play Italy you expect physicality, passion and intensity – yesterday at Murrayfield there was none of that.

So how do you assess Scotland’s performance when the opposition were so dreadful?

Well – you can only play what is in front of you and Scotland did what they had to do – they won convincingly.

Will Gregor Townsend have learned much from the game? I doubt it.

Stuart Hogg looked comfortable at flyhalf, but he was under no pressure. The lineout functioned well, but Italy rarely contested as Ireland had the previous weekend. Scotland scored some good tries, but there were gaps aplenty.

The real test will come on Friday night, when they play France in Paris.

That will be the opportunity for players to make a final bid for a place on the Lions tour – Warren Gatland will pay no attention to the Scotland game yesterday.

And after the disappointment of the performances against Wales and Ireland, the standing of some Scottish players has diminished after the opening weekend of the tournament.

Scotland cannot afford to define their success by the result of one match – beating England away.

If they are to really be taken seriously, and their players secure a place in the Lions, they have to step up against France in Paris.

You measure true quality by performances against the best not the worst, which brings real focus to Friday evening’s match.

If Scotland finish their Championship as they started it, no one can deny that it has been a success.